Teacher Idea Factory
March Madness is a great theme to leverage in the spring. Not only is it an exciting time in the college world, but it also can be use to promote teamwork. Over the years, I have used the basketball tournament to generate some fun math activities that still “shoot” for those standards. This theme is especially helpful when
It’s coming. Can you feel it? Yep . . . the chaos known as state testing season is nearly upon us. But, don’t let your blood pressure peg just yet. You have time to prep your students in the written response department a bit more. And, we are here to help! THE RESPONDING TO TEXT SHIFT When Common Core
Cultivating a climate of kindness and caring in our classrooms is one of the most magical parts of teaching. I don’t know about you, but I am always looking for new ways to slip in a kindness lesson. Here’s a quick and easy Kindness Challenge that’s classroom, student, and pocketbook friendly. **This idea is not new.
As we roll into mid-December, the holiday parties kick into overdrive. Whether it be with a classroom full of kids, with your favorite school staff members, or at home, a few simple additions can add some extra spice to any holiday shindig. With this said, I recently scoured the Oriental Trading catalogue for some fun items
Many of you are knee-deep in Holidays Around the World studies right about now. With this said, it seemed fitting to highlight a few ideas that you can easily add to your holiday studies that will “hook” ’em in even more. I know the Christmas/holiday chaos is in overdrive at the moment, so I promise to target
I am coming at you today with a totally new narrative writing idea. It’s an idea that not only challenges and engages kids, but it also downright excites them. I’ve seen these lessons play out in oodles of classrooms throughout my area (2nd-5th grade) and it’s a winner EVERY SINGLE TIME. I blogged about this idea last month
December is my absolute favorite in the classroom. Engagement is at an all time high and themed learning is kicked into high gear. I don’t know about you, but other than the good old Gingerbread Man, the main focus during the “holiday run” is Christmas Around the World! It’s such an amazing unit, but there is
Hold on to your hats, folks! I haven’t been this excited about a writing idea since . . . I don’t know when??!! This one SIMPLE addition to your writing instruction will ignite a passion in your students unlike any other. It sounds too good to be true. I know . . . I know. I
We have all experienced the dread that often accompanies rollin’ into a lengthy wet weather period. Toss gusty winds into the mix, and many of us are ready to crawl under our desks. Although this is a dramatized intro (you know how I love these), let’s be honest here. Rain doesn’t always elicit warm and fuzzy feelings for
There is one math center quasi manipulative that upstages all of the others. Our students already have fond prior knowledge surrounding this item which makes engagement go through the roof. This one toy turned tool is all you need to toss at your kids to have them beggin’ for more math! What is this item
